En Vogue, Levert, Brandy, YoYo, MC Lyte, Miki Howard, Tracy Chapman, Yolanda Adams, Metallica, Fabolous and Gerald Albright (just to name a few) have the amazing Sylvia Rhone to thank for advancing their careers and making them household names.

Born in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania on March 11, 1952, and raised in Harlem, Rhone has cited her early exposure to seminal R&B shows at the Apollo Theatre as pivotal to her belief in music as an inspirational force.

Sylvia Rhone graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Economics. her first job in music was in 1974 as a secretary for Buddha Records. As time went on she held positions at ABC Records and Ariola Records; later joining the Elektra family and advancing onto Atlantic Records where she would eventually become the senior vice president and general manager of Atlantic Records.

Sylvia Rhone is the reason Billboard Magazine named Atlantic Records the #1 Black Music Division in 1988. She became the first African American woman to head a major record company in 1990 and she is still hitting them HARD.

In 1994 she went on to become the chairman and CEO of Elektra Entertainment and was named by The Los Angeles Times “the most powerful woman in the music business”. She further advanced her career by guiding the merger of Elektra, EastWest and Sire Records into one of the Warner Music Groups most diverse and competitive labels. Sylvia moved on to become president of Motown Records, executive vice president of Universal Records. Ms Rhone re-energized the Motown label and made it a more savvy digital music business platform.

Music is a forever changing game and in 2006 the Universal Music Label split; becoming Universal Republic Records and Universal Motown Records. Ms Rhone became the president of Universal Motown and was able to raise awareness of Cash Money Records which is a subsidiary of Universal Music Group and Record Label home of Lil Wayne.

Sylvia Rhone has won a plethora of awards, honors and recognition from the music industry and the greater community. She was awarded the 2010 Lexus Pursuit Of Perfection Award as a trailblazer for African American women everywhere. In 2008, she was honored by the Black Women In Entertainment Law Foundation for her work as a pioneer in African American Music. In 2007, she was awarded the Black Girls Rock Corporate Award. In 2004, Rhone was awarded the Turner Broadcasting Trumpet Award which recognizes the accomplishments of distinguished African Americans from around the world. In 2001, Ms. Magazine named Rhone Woman Of The Year, along with Jane Fonda, Yoko Ono, and Venus and Serena Williams, among others. Rhone was one of only four women recognized in Jet Magazine‘s 50 Years Of Progress issue which chronicled the business achievements of prominent African Americans in the previous half-century.

Other honors include an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Adelphi; the Herbert H. Wright Award from the National Association of Market Developers; Sony’s Soul of American Music Excellence Award; The Urban Network’s Executive Of The Year Award; The Boy Scouts of America’s Whitney M. Young Service Award; the New Music Seminar’s Joel Webber Prize for Excellence in Music and Business Award; and the Legacy Life Member Award from the National Council of Negro Women. Rhone is a member of the Board of Directors of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Sylvia Rhone is truly a woman behind the music and we salute her.

Keep Jammin,

MrsDeveter

Over the past 49 years she has been known simply as Simpson from the dynamic duo Ashford & Simpson. After the passing of her beloved husband and partner Nick Ashford; Valerie Simpson is flying solo.

Ashford & Simpson were the writing talent behind Motown hit artists Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing. They gave their lyrical talent to Diana Ross’ Reach Out And Touch Somebodies Hand and the incomparable Chaka Khan’s hit I’m Every Woman.

Valerie Simpson is not only an accomplished song writer but vocalist and keyboardist. She can spot talent as soon as she hears it and encourages this generation to achieve their musical goals.

When asked by the SFGate.com if she thinks she will perform again she shared… Before Nick passed, we had some dates scheduled for next year, including a return to San Francisco. The promoters have asked me to do those shows on my own. I don’t even know what it will feel like to perform without him. I have a show scheduled in December with the Whispers at the Star Plaza Theatre in Indianapolis and I’m going to see how it feels and how I feel and how the audience is – what it feels like to be onstage solo. If it goes well, then I will say yes to next year’s shows.

Happy Women’s History Month!!! This year like last I’m going to salute the Women Behind the Music. Last year I only posted two women but this year my goal is 10 Women Behind the Music. I will profile the incredible women who manage, sign and book the talent, the ladies who – record, mix/master, write, produce and get the great music we love out there to the masses!

Stop by often to see who will receive a B.O.N.E. Chronicles thank you!

Keep Jammin’
MrsDeveter

His career was peaking yet again.

He just dropped an album.

He was acting again.

And now he’s gone.

R.I.P Heavy D. We got nothing but love for you baby!

AFropolitan is the name of the latest CD from Derrick N. Ashong & Soulfege and it’s BANGING!

I don’t say this just because I had the opportunity to lend my vocals to a track or even becase BONE Entertainments own Stix Bones is the drummer for Soulfege; but I say this because it’s an awesome album.
Afropolitan offers listeners dance tunes, old school reggae and world music that appeals to an array of musical tastes. The creative forces behind Afropolitan are Derrick N. Ashong also known as D.N.A and Johnathan M. Gramling; Harvard graduates who are passionate about politics and music.

In Derrick’s words…

The album is called “AFropolitan” and it makes a musical & lyrical statement about an identity that not only applies to me and my bandmates, but to many of our friends, fans & peers around the world.  It’s an identity that transcends traditional boundaries of culture, ethnicity, race & nationality.  If you’ve never heard the term before you can get an insight into what it means by reading this powerful essay written by my friend taiye selasi – a Ghanaian-Nigerian-American literary genius who you will be hearing much more of in the not-too-distant future.

Don’t take our word for it… check out “Afroploitan” here and get a taste of the tunes.

If you are in the NYC area on October 13th join Soulfege for the NYC album release at
Location: DROM 85 Avenue A (b/w 5th & 6th) New York, NY – (212) 777-1157
Time: ‎8:00PM

Until next time…

Keep Jammin’

If you are in NYC this coming weekend. I suggest to head to Brooklyn and take part in the40th Annual International African Arts Festival!

July 1 – July 4, 2011
Commodore Barry Park
Downtown Brooklyn, NY

This four-day annual arts and crafts festival, a Brooklyn summer institution since 1971 (and formerly held at Boys and Girls High School), includes an African Marketplace, dance and music performances, and fashion shows.

The festival takes place at Commodore Barry Park (Navy Street, between Park and Flushing Avenues, on the border between Downtown Brooklyn and Fort Greene) rain or shine, July 1-4, 10AM-9PM

Schedule:
FRIDAY, JULY 1
Ancestral opening with Shanto
James Fleet/Drake Colley Quintet
Ngoma-Tribute to Billy Bang
Greg Stamper
Colonel Abrams Dance Party
Asase Ya

SATURDAY, JULY 2
Tribute to Chief Bey, Nana Dinizulu and Baba Ishangi
Ifetayo Youth Ensemble
Omi Yesa
Dimizulu African Dancers, Drummers and Singers
Ishangi family Dancers
Bill Mc Cloud, Urban Ju-Jitsu

SUNDAY, JULY 3
Gospel
Graveshift
Amma Watt
Phyllis Yvonne Stickney MC
The Black Alley players featuring Ebony Jo-Ann (B.O.N.E. Ent. Artist with artist Stix Bones and Johnny Turco)
Tribute to Gil Scott Heron feat. The Last Poets and the Midnight Band
International Day of the Drum Celebrating and Observance
Akom

MONDAY, JULY 4
Rome Neal’s Women In Jazz
Orquesta Tipica 73 (Salsa music)
Phyllis Yvonne Stickney MC
Norman Conners and the Starship Orchestra
Forces of Nature
International Day of the Drum Celebrating and Observance

For information on the Children’s Program (including the Fashion Show, the Afrikan Poetry Theater Poetry Slam, and the Natural Hair Show) and other details, call 718.638.3700 or send an email to infoatIAAFestival.org

Hope to see you there!!!

Keep Jammin!

According to President Obama’s proclamation on May 31st June African American Music Appreication Month! In 2002 President Bush decreed that June was Black Music Month. However 32 years ago today President Jimmy Carter, decreed that June would be Black Music Month. What’s the difference? Black Music or African American Music…. same difference to me.

What say you?

Check out the proclamation below…

The music of our Nation has always spoken to the condition of our people and reflected the diversity of our Union. African-American musicians, composers, singers, and songwriters have made enormous contributions to our culture by capturing the hardships and aspirations of a community and reminding us of our shared values. During African-American Music Appreciation Month, we honor the rich musical traditions of African-American musicians and their gifts to our country and our world.

From the cadenced hums of spirituals to the melodies of rhythm and blues, African-American music has been used to communicate, to challenge, to praise, and to uplift in times of both despair and triumph. The rhythmic chords embedded in spirituals have long expressed a deep faith in the power of prayer, and brought hope to slaves toiling in fields. The soulfulness of jazz and storytelling in the blues inspired a cultural renaissance, while the potent words of gospel gave strength to a generation that rose above the din of hatred to move our country toward justice and equality for all.

Today, African-American musicians continue to create new musical genres and transform the scope of traditional musical formats. The artistic depth of soul, rock and roll, and hip-hop not only bring together people across our Nation, but also energize and shape the creativity of artists around the world. The contributions of African-American composers and musicians to symphony, opera, choral music, and musical theater continue to reach new audiences and encourage listeners to celebrate fresh interpretations of these and other genres.

In cherished songs passed down through generations and innovative musical fusions crafted today, African-American music continues to transcend time, place, and circumstance to provide a source of pride and inspiration for all who hear its harmonies. This month, we celebrate the legacy of African-American music and its enduring power to bring life to the narrative of our Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2011 as African-American Music Appreciation Month. I call upon public officials, educators, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate activities and programs that raise awareness and foster appreciation of music which is composed, arranged, or performed by African Americans.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

Hey Folks:

Recently Stix Bones asked a question on his facebook fan page.

Does having the ability to create music on garage band, logic, protools, etc qualify you as a musician? If so how?
His fans had plenty to say…

Derrick N Ashong said Good question. I think regardless of your instrument, the act of making music makes you a musician. The quality of the music you make determines if you’re a good one…